St Andrew’s at the Grey Festival
SCHOOL FESTIVAL: It was a very successful Grey High School Rugby Festival for the St Andrew’s College 1st XV as they came away unbeaten after victories were achieved against Gauteng teams St John’s College and Jeppe High School.
On Thursday against St John’s College, after a tense half, where the collisions in midfield were brutal, St Andrew’s came away with a narrow 5-0 lead thanks to a try by hooker, Chris Poole, following a strong line-out drive by the pack.
In the second half, St Andrew’s were in dominant form. Two quick tries by Lloyd Koster and Matthew Hillary, both of which were converted by Connor Stulich saw the lead stretch out to 19-0. After some fantastic work by Brayden Barratt on the ground, Miles Danckwerts stepped his way through the St John’s defense to score from 50m out. Finally, with replacement scrumhalf Nicholas Rogan gave a fantastic inside ball to Bame Malesu, and St Andrew’s rounded off the scoring to end the game 31-0 in front.
On Saturday, St Andrew’s College came up against a confident, physical and determined Jeppe High School side, who had upset Selborne College on Day 1. In a tense first half, it was Jeppe that came away with the lead, going into the break 12-3. A number of missed lineouts by the St Andrew’s pack meant that possession was often given back to the opposition, and this was putting unnecessary pressure on the team in what was always going to be a tense battle up front.
The second half was just as tense as the first but it was St Andrew’s who managed to keep Jeppe pegged down in their own half through the controlled boot of flyhalf Guy Rushmere. The pressure told and and, when Miles Danckwerts picked up from the base of the ruck and got through the first line of defence, he was able to send his centre partner Jason Thomas away to score near the uprights. The try was converted by Connor Stulich and it was all of a sudden a two point game. With the clock ticking down, St Andrew’s were once again able to keep Jeppe deep in their own half, before forcing a penalty. This was converted calmly by Guy Rushmere and St Andrew’s were 13-12 in front. St Andrew’s defended strongly in the final few minutes to complete what was a memorable victory.
Scott Jackson, the first rugby manager said: “Our thanks to all the St Andrew’s boys that travelled through from Grahamstown to support the team. The passion and energy were excellent and much appreciated. Our thanks also to Grey High School for hosting what was once again a well run festival of schoolboy rugby.”
From Stephen Penney
